A SIGN AND A SCRAP

A sermon by George R. Pasley

Genesis 34:1-28; Matthew 15:21-28

(Abraham’s servant finds Rebecca; The Canaanite woman pleads for her daughter)

This sermon was delivered by two voices, one speaking about the servant of Abraham and the other speaking about the Canaanite woman.

The servant was humble.

The woman was bold.

The servant needed a sign.

The woman needed a scrap.

The servant needed God to lead him to someone particular.

The woman needed God to DO something particular.

The servant needed to find a girl who loved God.

The woman needed to find a God who would heal her daughter.

The servant was thirsty.

The woman’s daughter was suffering terribly.

He was thirsty, but the thirst was secondary to his mission.

Her mission was to find relief for her daughter, and it was second to nothing.

Kindness was the sign he asked for.

Jesus was the one she asked.

Why kindness?

Why Jesus?

After all, he had ten camels loaded with treasure and with all those girls there was certainly opportunity for gold-digging.

After all, Jesus was a Jew and the Jews DESPISED Canaanites.

But he was a servant.

But her daughter was suffering.

He knew what servants are like, and he knew what masters are like.

She must have known something about Jesus.

He knew the difference between exceptional service, and sufficient.

She knew that Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and cast out demons.

He knew the value of kindness.

She knew that one little bit of what Jesus was throwing around was all she needed.

He knew that kindness cannot be bought.

She knew she had to ask.

He knew that genuine kindness produces fruit season after season.

She knew that a little bit of God’s mercy would go a long, long way.

He knew that kindness opens doors, softens hearts, nurtures love, and causes good laughter.

She knew that the greatest kindness is mercy, given without obligation, because of love.

He knew that not every heart is filled with kindness.

She didn’t need kindness- she needed help.

He knew that God had been kind to Abraham.

She knew that Jesus had healed the sick before, cast out demons before, answered prayer before.

He trusted God, and gave God a way to help.

She trusted Jesus, but she stood up for herself.

“Please give me a little water from your jar.”

“SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!!!”

The girl heard him, and answered quickly.

Jesus gave no answer.

Rebecca’s quick response gave him encouragement.

Jesus’ silence did NOT discourage her!

The servant held his breath….would God provide a sign, the sign of kindness?

The woman asked again.

Rebecca poured her water in the trough, and ran to draw more, and more, and more.

The woman would NOT leave, and the disciples BEGGED Jesus- “Lord, send her away.”

The camels drank, and drank, and drank. It HAD BEEN a long journey.

Jesus didn’t make anyone happy. Not his disciples, not the woman.

Rebecca poured water until the camels had all satisfied their great thirst.

The woman persisted.

The servant pondered the nature of God…Rebecca’s kindness was a sign of God’s people.

The woman persisted.

He knelt down and worshiped God.

She knelt down and asked for help.

His worship was testimony.

Her plea was worship.

He gave witness: God is kind, and faithful, and trustworthy.

Her prayer was likewise testimony: Without God, we are in trouble.

Rebecca’s kindness became a foundation stone for the community of faith.

The woman’s persistence became a foundation stone for a new addition- ours!

Why was Rebecca so generous?

Why was the woman so persistent?

Because kindness was in her nature. That was the sign the servant asked for.

Because persistence before God was the only way to get the thing her daughter needed for life.

God answered the servant’s prayer.

Jesus turned HER down. “It is not right to take the children’s bread, and give it to the dogs.”

The servant brought out treasures from his luggage.

The woman brought out her best treasure, faithfulness to her mission and cleverness in the presence of Jesus. “Yes Lord, but even dogs eat scraps beneath the table.”

He experienced an abundance of generosity, kindness, and faithfulness.

She experienced just one tiny scrap, but it was rich dessert.

Sometimes mercy comes easy. Kindness is a sign of kindness.

Sometimes mercy comes grudgingly. Still, kindness is a sign of kindness.

Either way the taste is sweet.

Either way the taste is sweet.

This is a sign for us: Kindness to the stranger is a mark of God’s people.

This also is a sign for us: Jesus did not send away the one who was in need.

Rebecca belonged to the right family.

The woman was outside of the faith.

It was God who brought the servant to Rebecca.

It was faith that brought the woman to Jesus.

Rebecca ran and told her mother.

The woman ran to see her daughter, now healed.

This is a sign for the world: God’s nature is mercy.

THIS is a sign for the world: God’s mercy abounds! Love overflows!

So let this be our calling: to show kindness to strangers.

And let this be our calling: to persist in seeking justice and mercy.

Because there are others searching for answers.

There are others in desperate need.

Not every stranger comes with ten camels loaded with treasure!

Not every stranger dares to shout for attention.

But each stranger has gifts from God.

Every stranger’s story teaches us something about the way God works.

We must be eager and generous.

We MUST be persistent!

Because there is water in the well.

Because there is bread on the table.

Because God’s love abounds and overflows.

Because God’s love abounds and overflows.

We need to give in the way that Rebecca gave.

We need to give others permission to stand up the way the woman did.

So the waters may flow.

So the demons will leave.

So God’s Kingdom may come.

So God’s Kingdom may come.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.